The History of Flag Day

Today is Flag Day in America. Hopefully you are flying old glory at home or at your work place. The idea of celebrating the Flag is believed to have first originated in 1885 when B.J. Cigrand, a schoolteacher, arranged for the pupils in the Fredonia, Wisconsin Public School to observe June 14 as what he called a "Flag Birthday." The idea caught on and it continues to grow throughout the country.

After three decades of state and local celebrations, Flag Day was officially established by a proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30, 1916. While Flag Day was celebrated in various communities for years after Wilson’s proclamation, it was not until August 3, 1949, that President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14 of each year as National Flag Day. Now there is a little bit of history about this day.

Having traveled quite a bit in my lifetime, I can easily say that Quincy is truly a flag city. It’s hard to go anywhere in this city without seeing an American flag. Every time my mother would visit Quincy she would always comment on how many people fly the flag in this city. And she was right.

For those of you without a flag, make a plan to purchase one. They cost less than $20 at most places and join the ranks of those who are flying Ol’ Glory. For those flying the flag, encourage others to do so as well. In Quincy, it’s pretty much Flag Day every day and that’s the way it should be.